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Sydney's lockout laws to be lifted in city centre

The laws will be lifted over five years since they were introduced

In February 2014, the city of Sydney implemented a new lockout law across the CBD. Now, more than five years later, the law will be lifted. 

The controversial new legislation was initially introduced in an effort to reduce alcohol related violence in the city centre. The lockout laws affected more than 1000 venues across the entertainment precinct that became subject to 1.30AM lockouts and the prevention of serving alcohol after 3AM. The legislation, which was highly criticised, was initially introduced quickly after the tragic deaths of two young men, who died in the Kings Cross area after being punched in alcohol-fuelled incidents. While the laws will be lifted across the CBD, the restrictions will remain the same in Kings Cross. 

The news comes courtesy of a statement from State Premier Gladys Berejiklian who has promised to remove the restrictions. An excerpt from a statement to The Daily Telegraph reads: "I agree it's time to enhance Sydney's nightlife." 

New legislation will be passed later this year, and it is likely that this will result in the scrapping of the 1.30AM last entry times and the 3AM curfew for serving alcohol. 

Read about the financial impact the lockout laws have had on the city. 

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